Busking competition announced for BonFest

The annual rock music festival in honour of AC/DC legend Bon Scott takes place at the end of this month in his Scottish hometown of Kirriemuir, in the county of Angus. As well as the popular ticketed events at this year’s Bonfest there will also be a new free event beside the Bon Scott statue. The Busking at Bon tent will give any musician the chance to join the festival. The competition is open to all and will feature prizes including a recording session in the DD8 Music studio, and tickets to the main evening big top concert.

The open mic competition will take place right next to the life sized bronze statue of Bon Scott, that was unveiled at last year’s Bonfest and was 100% funded by AC/DC fans from all over the world. The site at Bellies Brae car park will be transformed on Saturday 29th April 11am-5pm with a street market hosted by the local Food Life group, a collective of local food producers that highlight the high quality produce from Angus. The market will feature a hog roast, wood fired pizza, Kirrie real ales and the Gin Bothy to name a few!

Gin Bothy owner Kim Cameron stated “"As a local producer we are looking forward to supporting new talent at Busking at Bonfest and hope to see a good turn out on the Saturday afternoon, good food, good drink and good music!"

A spokesperson for Bonfest organisers DD8 Music said “We are very happy to be working with The Food Life group at this year’s festival. They represent some of the best food and drink that’s made in the local area, and it’s great to be able to show that off to the worldwide audience that comes to Kirrie for Bonfest.”

The street market and busking competition add to the three days of entertainment at this year’s festival to rock legend Bon Scott. This includes three big top gala concerts each night over the 28-30th April and three full days of free live music, featuring over 30 bands, in local venues. Headliners this year include AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd and “Rockgrass” favourites Hayseed Dixie.

This year will also see a return to the roots of Bonfest, with previous evening venue, Kirriemuir Town Hall, opening during the day as an additional free day time venue. Over the three days the following rocking line up of bands will be performing in the “wee red toon”; Riff Raff; Rain or Ruin; Sonorous; Smokin Bugler Band; Billy Jack; Two Wheels Good; Ganked; That Girl Gail and That Boy Roy; Her/Way to Hell; Kinell; Stara Kitara; Restless Natives; Red Dog; Riff Raff; Whisky Jack Band; Divination by Fire; Ronan Lang; Emerald Sunday; Cundeez; Tusk; SAZ; Jon Davie; Joe Clark; Restless Natives; Blackhawk Rally Band; Run For Cover; The Height of Abuse; Sonic Buckler; Ganked; Jon Davie; Ruckus; Mighty Bossmags; Ride the Tides.

Bonfest is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, and celebrating Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.

Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: “Bonfest is fantastic celebration of Bon Scott, rock music and Kirriermuir. The Busking at Bon tent and the street market are a great addition to the event as it gives festival goers a taste of the regions amazing food and drink while offering aspiring musicians the perfect stage to showcase their talents.

“We are delighted to be supporting the festival as it continues explore AC/DC’s Scottish roots, particularly in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.”